The hematocrit is one of the main factors influencing platelet adherence to the vessel wall. Raising the hematocrit causes an increase of platelet accumulation of about an order of magnitude. Our studies concern the role of red cell size. We have studied this effect using an annular perfusion chamber, according to Baumgartner, with human umbilical arteries and a steady-flow system. Normal human...

The double-stranded DNA polyomavirus Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) causes Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive but rare human skin cancer that most often affects immunosuppressed and elderly persons. As in other polyomaviruses, the large T-antigen of MCV recognizes the viral origin of replication by binding repeating G(A/G)GGC pentamers. The spacing, number, orientation, and necessity of repea...

The purpose of the current study was two-fold: (1) To examine the variation in velocity and power with increasing intensity in the back squat among subjects; and (2) To explore individual subject characteristics as possible explanations for variations of velocity in the back squat. Fourteen recreationally trained male subjects with experience in the back squat agreed to participate in the study...

In the last years, the detection of antibodies (Abs) against citrullinated peptides (ACPA) has largely replaced rheumatoid factor (RF) as the most helpful biomarker in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Current assays detect ACPA reactivity with epitopes on various different citrullinated proteins. Among these, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) Abs have been widely demonstrated t...

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is associated with a higher risk of neurological events for both the transfemoral and transapical approach than surgical valve replacement. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging has revealed more new, albeit clinically silent lesions from procedural embolization, yet the main source and predominant procedural step of emboli remain unclear....

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Transfemoral implantation of an Edwards SAPIEN (ES) or Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) aortic valve prosthesis is an alternative to surgical replacement for patients with severe aortic stenosis and a high surgical risk. The study's aim was to compare results obtained with these two devices. METHODS Prospective observational study of transfemoral prosthesis implantation p...

The proportion of dysmorphic red cells (DRC) in the urinary sediment and their mean corpuscular volume (MCV) have been claimed to discriminate between glomerular and postglomerular sources of haematuria. To determine the diagnostic value of urinary DRC and MCV, we searched the literature and critically reviewed 21 published studies using a predetermined set of criteria for evaluation. All studi...

About 25% of accessory pathways (AP) run via "posteroseptal" space (PSS). There are three approaches for ablation of these pathways: from the right atrium, from the left atrium or from the ventricle and coronary sinus (CS). However in some cases AP is too far from all of them. Catheterisation of the middle cardiac vein (MCV) seems to be the only chance for successful ablation. Our aim was to ev...

Introduction Thalassemia is a group of genetic disorders resulting in the decreased production of globin chains, alpha or beta, leading to the decreased production of hemoglobin (Hb). For the heterozygous state, it can be recognized by the microcytosis of its red blood cell or the decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of less than 80 fL. For alpha-thalassemia-1 or alpha(0)thalassemia traits, ...

BACKGROUND Early definitive diagnosis and effective treatment are mandatory in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as it can halt the disease progression and subsequent joints destruction. OBJECTIVE To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) and its correlation with disease activity, peripheral and axial skeleton affection in RA patients. PATI...